Research News Release

Aurora Health Care named one of the first health systems in US to offer precision medicine colon cancer clinical trial

Aurora only health care system in Wisconsin to test a new drug for advanced forms of colon cancer

March 6, 2018

Aurora Health Care has been named one of the first health care systems in the United States and the only in Wisconsin to participate in a precision medicine study of a new drug for the fight against colon cancer.

Aurora’s cancer and research programs are participating in the early-phase Mountaineer study, a clinical trial using precision-based therapy protocols and the new drug for advanced metastatic colon cancer tucatinib, which was developed by Cascadian Therapeutics

“Patients throughout Wisconsin turn to Aurora Health Care for the best in treatment options, and being a host for this study builds on our overall reputation as a destination for cancer care,” said Federico Sanchez, MD, medical director for oncology services at Aurora Cancer Care and the principal investigator for Aurora Research Institute. “We are always looking for better options for our patients, and we are hopeful that our participation in this study will lead to even better patient outcomes for future patients.”

Sponsored by Academic and Community Cancer Research United (ACCRU), the study will be available at 16 Aurora Cancer Care sites. Other systems participating in the study are some of the major cancer research organizations in the U.S., including Duke University, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Mayo Clinic, the coordinating system for the study.

“An integrated health system, Aurora is able to offer this option to patients close to home at clinics throughout Eastern Wisconsin,” said Michael Thompson, MD, PhD, medical co-director of Oncology Precision Medicine for Aurora Cancer Care and director of Early Phase Cancer Research for Aurora Research Institute.

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., and American Cancer Society estimates that more than 95,000 people will be diagnosed this year.

About Aurora Health Care

Aurora Health Care is a not-for-profit Wisconsin-area health care provider and a national leader in efforts to improve health care quality. Aurora offers services at sites in more than 30 counties throughout eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Aurora is Wisconsin's most comprehensive health care provider and the state's largest private employer. Aurora serves more than 1.2 million patients every year via a comprehensive network of facilities, services and providers, including 15 hospitals, more than 150 clinics, more than 70 pharmacies and more than 33,000 caregivers. As evidenced by more than 300 active clinical trials, Aurora is dedicated to delivering innovations to provide the best possible care today and to defining the best care for tomorrow. Get helpful health and wellness information via the Aurora MyHealth blog, our Facebook page, our Twitter account and our Pinterest account.

About Aurora Research Institute

Aurora Research Institute is a not-for-profit, limited liability company of Aurora Health Care. Aurora has emerged as a national destination for patient-centered bench, translational and clinical research, and Aurora Research Institute unifies the innovative research efforts throughout the health system. Aurora researchers focus on rapidly translating new discoveries from the scientist’s bench to the patient’s bedside and into the community we serve to improve options and outcomes that change not only the lives of individuals, but transform the health of populations.

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